by: Gene M. Battistella, DO

“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Every step toward the goals requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”
- Martin Luther King

Progress is truly an ongoing process of all that we strive to do and this year of the COVID-19 pandemic and everything that we are experiencing socially, personally and professionally as a result are similarly affecting how we continue to advance toward our goals individually and collectively. The POMA has certainly not been immune to this all, but with dedication, collaboration, innovation, and perseverance have continued to advance the mission and goals of the POMA Board of Trustees and Officers for the benefit of our members and our patients. The POMA Staff has, in this virtual world we now live in, seemingly seamlessly continued the daily operations of the POMA, collaborated with the POMA Clinical Assembly Committee to convert our annual conference to virtual with what I believe was an amazing outcome and with the POMA Board Members and Leadership continued with a multitude of other Committee , Leadership and Board Meetings virtually. Additionally, they also successfully organized the recently completed POFPS Annual Symposium, also in a virtual format.

We now look to continue the progress of the POMA and our mission.   We are nearing the end of our Three-Year POMA Strategic Plan encompassing our 4 Pillars of Communication, Community, Education, and Influence.  The development and realization of each of the Pillars' objectives have continued to transform the POMA. This plan was achieved with the input from each of you, the Osteopathic Physicians of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, for whom we are all honored to dedicate our service, and to whom the quote by Martin Luther King I have referenced above applies.  As we now look to the future, we will be once again looking to each of you to help us formulate our next POMA Strategic Plan.  We NEED AND LOOK FORWARD to all the insight, knowledge, and passion for the Osteopathic profession that each of you has to offer and share with us to advance the POMA into the future. 

Thank you in advance, knowing that you are each a valued participant in this process.  In closing, I hope that you each as members of our Osteopathic Family at the POMA can take some time for your own wellness and have some quality time with your own family. Please be safe and continue to “Live each day as an example of what an Osteopathic Physician should be!”

by: Diana Ewert

“Great things are not done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.” Steve Jobs

Truer words. It is my privilege to work with a team of people at POMA who care deeply. They see the promise of POMA’s future as the profession grows. They see the opportunity in inclusion. They reflect the energy generated by new learning styles. They respect osteopathic profession, tenets, philosophy and practice. We added a new team member this week who is eager to engage members, residents and students. Sara Bustard joined #TeamPOMA on Monday as our Director of Member Engagement. Sara has significant experience in member recruitment, retention and engagement. She is now the team liaison to the Community Strategic Pillar. Sara will work with the Membership Committee, PGYP, Physician Wellness and our Mentor Task Force. Sara and Jason will work side by side with our District leadership. Sara has been auditing committee meetings since before she officially started to gain insight and perspective. She comes to POMA following the consolidation of residency programs under ACGME and is already working on ways to conduct outreach and engage with these young career professionals. You can reach out to Sara by email at [email protected] or by calling the office, her extension is 121. We are all thrilled to have her with us because the work of POMA requires a team.

We’ve had some promotions within the team I want share. Susan DePue was promoted to Administrative Coordinator Finance and Deb Cargill-Roan to Membership Specialist. Brenda Dill was promoted to Senior Director of Education and Communications  AND she safely delivered a healthy baby girl, Madison Rae Dill, on August 5 weighing in at 7 pounds 15 ounces and 20.5 inches long. We can’t wait to see her in person and look forward to a time beyond the mask.

These continue to be trying times for many within our POMA family but rest assured, your #TeamPOMA continues to operate on your behalf whether remotely or from the Central Office. And I have to say from an overall personal career perspective – The Best. Team. Ever.

COVID-19 Immunity Legislation

POMA joined a chorus of healthcare groups and businesses in support of Senate Bill 1239 which would provide for a targeted level of civil immunity related to COVID-19 for healthcare workers, facilities, and businesses, including those that manufacture personal protective equipment (PPE). The protections are limited in that they do not cover, “gross negligence, recklessness, willful misconduct or intentional infliction of harm.” In other words, a plaintiff would have to prove you went out of your way to put them in harms way. But as a defendant physician, you would be protected by doing your job. More specifically, it is spelled out in the legislation that you, as a physician, would have immunity under scenarios where you may have had lack of equipment, supplies or there were personnel shortages that prevented you from doing your job. Senator Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne), Chairperson of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is the prime sponsor of the bill. Senator Baker’s committee is tentatively planned to have a hearing sometime in September. POMA will keep you informed of any progress on this legislation.

We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Director of Member Engagement, Sara Bustard. Sara is stepping into a newly created position to collaborate with our osteopathic physician community. As director of member engagement, Sara will be looking to improve and enhance programs, products and services that support osteopathic physicians, residents, and students.

Prior to joining POMA, Sara was the Membership Director for the Alpha Omega International Dental Society where she was responsible for partnering with 100 chapters and their leadership to recruit and retain members. Sara brings with her experience in leadership, member recruitment and retention, communications, and customer service. We are thrilled to have her join #TeamPOMA and bring her experience, knowledge, and new ideas to our organization. 

Get To Know Sara!

What is your favorite food? Lasagna
Do you prefer coffee or tea? Tea. I’m not a coffee drinker.
Do you prefer cake or pie? Cake, Red Velvet is my favorite.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be? I would want to teleport because it would save so much time.
What do you enjoy most, outside of work? I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and my boyfriend. I also enjoy cooking and traveling.
What about this job has you most excited? I’m excited to meet the members!
What do you want our members to know about you or what do you hope to be able to accomplish? I’d like POMA members to know that I’m here to improve their membership experience. I’d love to hear any questions, comments, or ideas that any member has to offer.

You can reach out to Sara by email at [email protected] or by calling the office, her extension is 121.

  POMA Dues Renewal

We all need family, especially in times like these.  POMA is your professional family and has been ceaselessly working on behalf of you and the osteopathic professional throughout the pandemic.  The impact on your professional and personal life is immeasurable.  That’s why it’s important to renew your membership today!

POMA's 2020-21 membership year began July 1 and it's easier than ever to remain part of our osteopathic community when you Choose POMA. Call 717-939-9318 x170 or renew online today – your username is 

Thank you for all you DO and thank you for continuing to Choose POMA! 

Physician Licensure Renewal Reminder

Osteopathic physicians are reminded that the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine requires 100 CME credits for the 2018-2020 licensure cycle, which ends October 31, 2020. 

As part of the 100 credits, physicians must earn at least 20 Category 1A AOA CME credits, at least 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting (Category1 or Category 2), at least 2 hours of opioid education (Category1 or Category 2), and at least 12 patient safety credits (Category 1 or Category 2). The credits for child abuse recognition/reporting and opioid education are counted into the sum of 100 credits and/or sum of 20 Category 1A credits but do not overlap into patient safety.

Additionally, the child abuse recognition/reporting course must be documented and reported to the Pa. Department of State by an approved course provider. Topics that qualify for opioid education include pain management, identification of addiction or the practices of prescribing or dispensing of opioids. The credits for opioid education and patient safety credits must also be documented by an AOA, ACCME, AMA or AAFP accredited sponsor (institution, health system, professional association, etc.)

Please note: Renewal applications are typically opened 30-60 days prior to expiration dates. Please make sure you allow enough time for processing. Visit the checklist of application materials.

If you are a POMA member, we can affirm how many credits you have earned for all POMA-sponsored programs. However, if you have not completed your CME reporting forms and returned them to the Central Office, you will not receive credit. Any credits earned outside of the POMA must be sent to the Central Office in order for us to record them. Active members can access the system by clicking here.

 APOMA: Meet Your Advocates

Krissy Eisenhardt

Krissy graduated with a BA from the University of South Carolina.  She is currently Owner and President of Gamecocks and Whales, Inc., a Business Services Company and Human IT, an IT company. Prior to this, she was in commercial real estate for 10 years and had many prestigious clients like Disney and General Motors. She has also worked on political campaigns and for many high-level government officials. 

Krissy is the President of the National Charity League- Milton Chapter leading a group of over 200 women (mothers and daughters) in community service, leadership development, and cultural experiences.  She also serves at the VP/President-Elect for APOMA, Advocates for the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association, and is on the Convention Committee for the AAOA, Advocates for the American Osteopathic Association.  Krissy has just finished a 10 year term as the Governance Board Chair at Amana Academy, an award winning K-8 Charter School in Georgia.  She has been instrumental in property acquisitions, finance, governance, fundraising and community relations. With her leadership, Amana was just awarded a second charter to create another school, they have become a certified STEM school, become an EL Credentialed school, Accreditation renewal, and Charter renewal for Amana 1.  She also was instrumental in the school obtaining a bond and buying their current school building and becoming financially sustainable.  She will now lead the Amana West Committee for the Board.  Krissy has served for several years on the board of her homeowners association, an adoption agency, and a young professional’s board.  

Krissy is happily married to Derrick and they have a daughter, Alle, who is in the 10th grade at Cambridge High School.  Krissy and Alle volunteer with the National Charity League in Milton, GA, where for the past 3 years they have both volunteered over 50 hours each year earning them many awards like the Mother-Daughter Service Award and The President’s Volunteer Service Award. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and she likes to travel and read during her spare time. 

by: Lisa Witherite-Rieg, DO

“Stuff”

Have you ever wondered how you accumulate so much stuff and why you keep certain things? Recently, I have had the distinct privilege and responsibility to sort through the belongings of people who are very close to me that have died. In the past five years, I have peered into the intimate life details of my mother, father and most impacting, my husband of 26 years.

I hadn’t much considered who generally sorts through the things of a person when he or she dies, but commonly, when a woman dies, her daughters, sisters, or if the woman was young, her mother goes through her belongings and finds new homes for her personal things. When a man dies, if he is married, it is generally his surviving wife who is tasked with sorting through his things. After 33 years together and 26 years of marriage (living in the same home all 26 years), I didn’t expect to find any surprises, as I thought I knew everything about my life’s partner.

READ MORE >>

View the
newsletter online!  

POMA continues to monitor the rapidly changing information surrounding the spread of COVID-19. Please visit www.poma.org/covid-19 for all of our updates, as well as resources we are finding to be most useful and accurate at this time.

Table of Contents...

1. President's Perspective
2. Executive Opinion
3. Policy Points
4. Welcome to #TeamPOMA
5. POMA ISMIE Affinity Program
6. POMA Dues Renewal
7. SoFi
8. Physician Licensure Renewal Reminder
9. APOMA: Meet Your Advocates
10. How Are You DOing?
11. COVID-19 Updates
12. Upcoming PGYP Meetings
13. Under the DOme
14. Classified Ads Information
15. Follow POMA on Social Media
16. POMPAC
17. Download the POMA App
18. Need Required CME Credits for License Renewal?
19. Fee Regulations in Place
20. APOMA Meeting Recap
21. Calling All Writers
22. POFPS CME Certificates

CLASSIFIED AD
RATES
— Per insertion —

Member Ads*: $10 for the first 20 words, $.25 for each additional word. $2 each for special services: box letter, all caps or all bold type, boxing an ad in.

Non-member Ads: (Payment must be received in advance.) $50 for the first 20 words, .50 each additional word. $5 for each special service (listed above).

*Please Note: Member ad rate to be used only by POMA members and only for their medicine- or practice-related ads. Charges for other types of members’ ads will be calculated using the non-member ad rate.

POMA does not take a position of endorsing any organizations, individuals or services whose classified advertisements appear in this publication. The POMA Newsletter reserves the right to select and edit all advertisements submitted.

Follow POMA on social media for all the latest news!

POMPAC is the collective
voice of the osteopathic profession in Pennsylvania.

Send your personal check to POMPAC c/o POMA, 1330 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17111, or charge your contribution to your credit card!

PAC contributions are not tax-deductible.

Download POMA’s Mobile App Today!

POMA’s free mobile app can be used all year long to find information on advocacy, education, association events, member benefits and more!

• Be in the know
• Get engaged
• Stay connected
• And many more valuable resources

Search POMA in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to download the free app today!

Need Required CME Credits for License Renewal?

If you are still looking to fulfill CME requirements, visit DO-CME. This is an online collaborative education center with the osteopathic state societies and Association of Osteopathic State Executive Directors.  It features on-demand programs, webinars and live educational opportunities that address a broad spectrum of topics, including content from POMA's 112th Annual Clinical Assembly, that are available for purchase.

*If you did not attend POMA's 112th Annual Clinical Assembly, the seminars are now available for purchase on DO-CME. Individual lectures are available for purchase, as are specialty bundles. Links to the bundles are below or you can search POMA on www.docme.org.

Bundles:

• Patient Safety
• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• OMT
• Pediatrics

Opioid Lecture:

• Opioids

If you still need to fulfill your Child Abuse credits, please visit www.reportabusepa.pitt.edu.

Visit www.docme.org to start earning 1-A credits online. 

Fee Regulations In Place

Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) approved the regulations yesterday that will increase the licensure application and renewal fees for Osteopathic physicians and other clinicians under the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine. This goes into effect for the renewal cycle which ends October 31, 2020.  The increase is $110 or $55 per year for Osteopathic physicians. 

APOMA Meeting Recap

APOMA held a virtual meeting Saturday May 1, 2020 in conjunction with the POFPS 45th Annual Virtual CME Symposium. During the meeting, the bylaw committee made recommendations to update and change outdated bylaws. It was decided that APOMA will "send" 7 delegates to the AAOA HOD in October, 2020.  They will also have 7 “runners” for the Fun Run. APOMA is also happy to share that Caryn Tabby Helhowski will be sworn in as AAOA President at that time.

APOMA still has plans to sponsor a CME cruise but we will revisit this idea in the future as the COVID-19 pandemic caused this year's plan to be derailed. 

Calling All Writers!

POMA is seeking writers for both the Journal of the POMA and the blog, "How Are You DOing?"

The Journal of the POMA is published four times a year and the blog is published each month in our newsletter.

If you are interested in submitting an article either now or in the future, please contact Brenda Dill at [email protected]. 

 POFPS CME Certificates

The POMA CME Team will begin processing credits after on-demand viewing ends on September 7, 2020. CME statements will be emailed at the end of September. Thank you in advance for your patience as we navigate this new process for our 500+ conference attendees.

Just as a reminder, if you have not submitted your attestation form, please do so by September 30, 2020. Stay tuned for future progress updates.

Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association | 1330 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17111  (717) 939-9318 | www.poma.org